Production Tech

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY

Fox TV Stations

FOX Television Stations owns and operates 29 full power broadcast television stations in the U.S. These include stations located in 14 of the top 15 largest designated market areas, or DMAs, and duopolies in 11 DMAs, including the three largest DMAs (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Of these stations, 18 are affiliated with the FOX Network. In addition to distributing sports, entertainment and syndicated content, our television stations collectively produce approximately 1,200 hours of local news every week. These stations leverage viewer, distributor and advertiser demand for the FOX Network’s national content.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Production Technician reports the Production & Operations Manager and is the operator of all equipment and systems, including the control room, studios, and audio booth. This includes operations of all equipment for newscasts, promos, special events, etc. The Production Technician primarily assists the Director in preparing, Studio cameras, Teleprompter, Audio, and studio lighting for air before newscast. THIS IS A 10 WEEK TEMPORARY POSITION.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Production Technician:

• Working knowledge of AM, PM News and other show formats
• Receive and implement directives from Director over headset.
• Communicate clearly and coherently in person and on headset. Anticipate the needs of the director.
• Ensure talent and guests microphones have charged batteries, that microphones are on proper frequency, turned on properly and have corresponding IFB’s (when applicable).
• Conduct proper studio microphone and live-remote audio checks prior to air and inform director immediately if any source is not suitable for air.
• Ensure talent is on the set, mic’d and informed of the cues in use.
• Prior to air, verify that all studio equipment is working properly.
• Ensure all RTS panels are labeled correctly with proper studio or remote talent prior to live or taped broadcasts.
• Update music request playlists on a daily basis with music requested from executive producers.
• Know camera-blocking positions for newscasts.
• Change batteries in microphones and IFB’s when necessary.
• Leave studio clean, orderly and safe at the end of the newscast or production taping.
• Be familiar with Sony ELC coding and show execution to fill in as needed.
• Make minor repairs to IFB’s, microphones, monitors and audio board as needed.
• Operate prompter when talent is unable to do so as assigned.
• Understand basics of lighting panel.
• Maintain audio booth, prop room, cameras and prompters.
• Interact effectively and professionally with talent, producers and crew.

MCR Operator:

• Safe and proper operation of Master Control and Evertz Mediator automation system equipment.
• Switch on air programming, commercials and promotional materials as directed by station log.
• Tune in and troubleshoot satellite receivers to record programs for air and spot check for quality.
• Operate and monitor remote transmitter.
• Observe and maintain video and audio levels to FCC specifications.
• Observe on air monitor to ascertain problems with transmission such as loss of audio or video signals, and press buttons to access and transmit technical difficulties sign or station identification to viewing audience.
• Identify and troubleshoot technical problems.
• Prepare report describing problems encountered during transmission of program or station break and reason for problems. Describe problems and solutions using thorough, clear and concise language comprehensible to non-technical personnel.
• Transfer programming and commercials from server to automation system. Check timing of segments on programming. Notify supervisor of any problems during this process.
• Regularly set up, adjust, assemble, control, test and operate station equipment to meet on-air broadcast requirements.
• Maintain high degree of quality control.
• Perform FCC required compliance procedures.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry changes.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Other duties as assigned.
• Regular attendance.
• Complete non-exempt time sheet completely, accurately and on deadline.
• Work varied hours, holidays, weekends and during severe weather situations as needed and/or scheduled.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION:

Regularly stand; walk, sit, reach with hands and arms; and; talk or hear. Occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

QUALIFICATIONS: Experience in the master control and news production environment

EDUCATION: College degree or two years equivalent experience in the broadcast industry.

OTHER: Ability to operate a broad range of production equipment.